First stage of creation of University quantum network completed

2021

Completion of the first phase of the University Quantum Network

On August 25, 2021, Infotecs announced that, together with the Center for Quantum Technologies of the Physics Faculty of Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov, it completed the first stage of creating the University Quantum Network (UKS).

The UCS is a secure communications network built on the basis of a quantum cryptographic system for generating and distributing keys ViPNet QSS. Its peculiarity is that it is implemented using pre-production equipment, in which scientific research based on the fundamental laws of quantum physics has been embodied.

A feature of the university quantum network is that it is created with the possibility of joining other participants, which in the future will allow uniting the expert community to form the appearance of created services and products that will use the advantages of quantum key distribution technology to the full.

The creation of the UCS started in December 2020. As of August 2021, it unites the following locations: the Infotecs office in Otradny, the campus of Moscow State University on the Lenin Mountains, the Center for Quantum Technologies and the building on Mokhovaya, in which 5 quantum and 20 telephone sets are installed, and the maximum length of the quantum channel is 30 km.

The QSS ViPNet system, which operates in the star topology, is designed to distribute encryption keys among trusted zones. The persistence of the quantum key distribution protocol is based on the fundamental principle of quantum physics - the impossibility of measuring a photon without changing its state. At the same time, encryption keys are generated and delivered without the participation of the administrator, which eliminates the risks associated with the "human" factor.

It is important to note that ViPNet QSS represents a special type of means of cryptographic information security which was not operated in industrial conditions earlier. The development of the system began in 2017, the first result of the work was demonstrated in December of that year and was called the "quantum phone." In the fall of 2018, the first network option was implemented with the connection of three subscriber stations at Moscow State University on the Leninsky Hills and the Infotecs office in Savelovsky JSC. In May 2019, as part of a press conference, prototypes of quantum equipment were presented that successfully passed the tests.

As experts in the field of cryptography, we are constantly looking for promising directions for its development, so for many years we have been working closely on the use of quantum key distribution technology, "said Andrei Chapchaev, CEO of Infotecs. - The project to build the University quantum network is an excellent demonstration platform for the capabilities of our quantum equipment, which is in the stage of launching serial production and certification from the regulator. It is pleasant that Infotecs are one of the first domestic companies to implement such an ambitious task. Of course, this was facilitated by close and fruitful cooperation with our colleagues from Moscow State University, "he emphasized.

Quantum technologies and cryptography based on them will become an important component of Russia's information security system in the near future. The importance of scientific research and practical developments is huge, and we are very happy to demonstrate the example of a successful partnership of scientists involved in fundamental development and a commercial company - a vendor in the field of information security, "added Sergey Kulik, scientific director of the Center for Quantum Technologies of the Physics Faculty of Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov.

The university quantum network is planned to be commissioned before the end of 2021.

Starting a telephone line with quantum encryption

On January 11, 2021, Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov (Moscow State University) announced the launch of a quantum-encrypted telephone line . It will connect 20 subscriber stations in the university.

The line of secure quantum telephony was launched by the Center for Quantum Technologies of Moscow State University. It is planned to fully implement the project, which began in December 2020, by the end of 2021.

By this time, a secure segment of the quantum network will be created between several subscribers located on the campus of Moscow State University. In particular, network points will be installed at the Faculty of Physics, in the main building and in the center of quantum technologies.

Moscow State University together with Infotecs launched a quantum-encrypted telephone network

In 2021, the network will be integrated with the Infotecs network and by the end of the year the quantum-protected network will be fully put into pilot operation. The maximum distance between objects connected by a quantum communication line will be 50 km.

The network will be built on the quantum cryptographic key generation and distribution system (KKS VPK) Vipnet Quantum Security System (Vipnet QSS), developed by Infotecs in collaboration with the center of quantum technologies of Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov. The system operates in the star topology and is designed to distribute encryption keys among trusted zones.

To ensure secure transmission of information between protected zones, Vipnet QSS Point clients are installed in each zone, which are connected via a quantum channel through the hierarchical system of Vipnet QSS Switch optical switches to the Vipnet QSS Server. This merges trusted zones for secure interaction. Vipnet QSS delivers encryption keys to all devices that encrypt user information.

The confidentiality of negotiations through this system is based on the persistent symmetric encryption of network traffic between subscribers using the quantum key allocation protocol.

As explained by TAdviser at Infotex, one of the advantages of a "quantum" phone is the ability to encrypt voice traffic and text messages of users on keys unknown even to the network administrator.